Samuel Finch
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel was born about 1887, the son of Samuel Finch and Emma Walker Finch who had five children; Samuel, Jane/Jenny, Reuben, Arthur and Nellie. In 1901 Samuel (38), a framework knitter, and Emma (38) were living at 5 Front Row, Sneinton, with their four oldest children; Samuel (13), Jenny (6), Reuben (4) and Arthur (3 months). By 1911 the family was living at 16 North Street, Nottingham; Samuel had already joined the army but his four siblings; Jenny, Reuben, Arthur and Nelly (8), were still at home. In 1911 Samuel was serving with the King's Royal Rifles in India (Rawalpindi) where he had probably been posted in 1910. The family later lived at 11 Lindum Grove, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, and this is the address which Samuel gave as his permanent residence when he transferred to the Army Reserve in 1914. In April 1919 his parents completed a form for the army listing Samuel's living relatives. His parents and his four siblings, Jenny (24), Reuben (22), Arthur (18) and Nellie (16), were all still living at 11 Lindum Grove.
At the age of 18, Samuel joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 3 February 1905 on a short service engagement. He served at home until being posted to India c.1910. He committed two minor offences during his period of service. On 28 January 1906 when he was serving at Gosport he was charged with disobedience of battalion orders and was confined to barracks for 8 days. Three years later on 31 May 1909 while at Colchester he was charged with returning drunk to barracks and again was confined to barracks for 8 days. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 11 February 1914 at the age of 27years 2months. He was mobilized on the outbreak of war and served with the BEF in France from 13 August 1914. He died of wounds and has no known grave but is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He served a total of 9 years and 245 days. He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 22 December 1914: 'Rifleman S Finch, 3rd King's Royal Rifles, 11 Lindum Grove, Meadow Lane, Nottingam. Killed in action on patrol, November 4th.' He left a few personal possessions, a wallet, watch, chain and a gold ring. The watch and gold ring were sent, at Samuel's request, to Miss E Ellis of 3 Blackstone Street, Meadows. Other property, and his medals, were returned to his father who was his legatee. Caption with photograph from the Nottingham Evening Post: 'Rifleman S Finch, 3rd King's Royal Rifles, 11 Lindum Grove, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, killed in action on patrol Nov. 4.'
